"Let’s have a conversation. Let’s talk man-to-man and brother-to-brother. Let’s talk about how we grow into adults and what manhood means. Let’s talk brother-to-brother and man-to-man about how we relate to one another as we grow into adults. Let’s talk about what defines our maleness and our manhood. Let’s talk brother-to-brother as African American men. Let’s talk openly and honestly about what it means to be black men and American. We can no longer assume that we all know what it means to be African American men. This is a conversation that is long overdue. Let’s talk together and listen to one another. This is our time to talk instead of being talked about. It is time for us to shed the unhealthy images and opinions that we have accepted as the standards of what it means to be Black men. The benefits of our talk will transform our souls as well as benefit all the girls and women in our lives." from the book